Definitions

1. adjective

relating to or intended as an act or offering to atone for sin or guilt

“The expiatory ritual was performed to cleanse the community of past transgressions.”

2. noun

a place or object serving to atone for sin or guilt

“The expiatory chapel stood as a symbol of penance for the nation’s past mistakes.”

3. noun

a person or thing that atones for sin or guilt

“The expiatory figure in the novel symbolized redemption for the protagonist’s past mistakes.”